The NYPD's Hate Crimes task force has been brought in on an investigation into the murders of three Brooklyn shop owners who are all of Middle Eastern descent. Two of the south Brooklyn merchants were killed over the summer, and the third, the 78-year-old owner of the She-She clothing boutique on 834 Flatbush Avenue, was murdered in his shop early Friday evening. Shell casings from all three victims were matched to the same gun, and investigators are considering the possibility that the same killer was behind each murder.

The motive, as yet, is unclear, and the NYPD has not officially classified the investigation as a hate crime. Last night, NYPD spokesman Paul Browne released this surveillance video montage showing four individuals who are being sought for questioning in regards to the murders. "These four individuals are not classified as suspects in the homicide at this time," Browne cautioned. "However, detectives want to question them about what they may have observed because of the time of day and their proximity to the homicide scene."

All four individuals were spotted within two blocks of where Friday's victim, Vahidipour Rahmatollah, was found dead. Here's the (silent) video:

NYPD wants to question these people in hunt for serial killer from Gothamist on Vimeo.

Here's the NYPD's detailed description of the four individuals:

John Doe Duffle Bag, a white male whose image was captured just after 6:00 p m. Friday on a camera outside of 786 Flatbush Avenue, between a block to a block and a half north of the crime scene, is seen walking northbound on Flatbush Avenue between Caton Avenue and Martense Street. A second video captured images of JD Duffle Bag three minutes later at 6:03 p.m. on a camera outside of 738A Flatbush Avenue, which is approximately two blocks north of the crime scene, walking northbound on Flatbush Avenue between Woodruff Avenue and Parkside Avenue.

Jane Doe Long Coat, a black female with glasses and neck scarf whose image was captured just after 6 p.m. the video camera outside of 786 Flatbush Ave, between a block and a block and a half north of the crime scene, is seen walking northbound on Flatbush Avenue between Caton Avenue and Martense Street.

Jane Doe Green Jacket, a black female with the head scarf whose image was captured at 6:52 p.m. Friday on a camera outside of 850 Flatbush Avenue, approximately a half of a block south of the crime scene, is seen running southbound on Flatbush Avenue between Linden Boulevard and Church Avenue.

John Doe Bubble Jacket, a black male whose image was also captured at 6:52 p.m. Friday on the same camera outside of 850 Flatbush Avenue, approximately a half of a block south of the crime scene, is also seen running southbound on Flatbush Avenue between Linden Boulevard and Church Avenue. John Does Bubble Jacket and Jane Doe Green Jacket were also captured running one after the other. Beginning at 6:52 p.m. Bubble Jacket (the male) is seen on camera outside of 850 Flatbush Avenue, approximately a half a block south of the crime scene , running southbound on Flatbush Avenue between Linden Boulevard and Church Avenue, when approximately seven seconds later, Green Jacket (the female) is seen running right behind Bubble Jacket, She is also running southbound on Flatbush Avenue between Linden Boulevard and Church Avenue, and she can be seen in the video taking off her green jacket. It was recovered in a garbage can nearby.

None of the stores where the men were murdered had surveillance cameras, and the motive is still opaque. Investigators are "grasping at straws,” one anonymous law enforcement official tells the Times. Rewards of $22,000 in each of the homicides are being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible. Anyone with information about them can call the Crime Stoppers hotline in confidence at 1-800-577 -TIPS.